John Welsh, the Irongray Covenanter. 195 



fray. William Arnott, of Little Park, and George Rome, of 

 Beoch, stationed themselves at the door of the Kirk. Arnott 

 drew his sword, saying, " Let me see who will place a minister 

 here this day." T. M'Brear (should it not be D. M'Brear?) 

 attempted to prevent Arnott drawing his sword. 



The inhabitants of Irongray were called in question for this 

 day's uproar. On May 5, 1663, " The Lords of His Majesty's 

 Privy Council being certainly informed of very great insolencies 

 lately committed within the Burgh of Kirkcudbright and parish 

 of Irongray by the tumultuary arising of diverse persons within 

 the same, and in a barbarous manner opposing the admission of 

 certain ministers who were appointed and came to serve there 

 appoint the Earls of Linlithgow, Galloway and Annandale and 

 Lord Drumlanrig, and Sir John Wauchop of Nidry or any two of 

 them to repair thither and call the plotters, and if necessary, 

 secure their per.sons, and send them to Edinburgh to answer 

 before the Lords of the Council." The Earl of Linlithgow was 

 further instructed to take with him 100 horse and 200 foot of His 

 Majesty's Guards, and to take free quarters in Kirkcudbright and 

 Irongray, and raise money to satisfy the said horse and foot, viz., 

 30 shillings Scots per horseman and 12 shillings Scots per foot- 

 man during their abode their by and altour the paying the ofBcers 

 their ordinary pay." (Privy Council Reg. 3rd Series i., 359.) 



On May 30, 1663, the Privy Council ordered the heritors of 

 Irongray to find caution of £100 stg., for each defaulter, and 

 express their sorrow for the late tumult. William Arnott and 

 Margaret Smith, the male and female ringleaders, were brought 

 to Edinburgh and lodged in the Tolbooth. Here they became 

 the objects of pious care and interest, being visited by ministers 

 and others, who prayed with them and exhorted them as suffering 

 for righteousness' sake, insomuch that the keeper of the Tolbooth 

 was ordered to "take notice of who visits them, and their dis- 

 course and carriage towards them." The prisoners appeared 

 before the Council. William Arnott was fined 5000 merks (after- 

 wards, on petition, reduced to 1000), and ordered to make public 

 acknowledgment of his offence on two Sabbath days at the Kirk 

 of Irongray in presence of the whole congregation. Margaret 

 Smith received a heavier sentence — transportation to the Barba- 

 does, but .she told her tale so innocently before the judges that 

 the sentence was not executed. 



